With Ash's Sunyshore Gym match delayed, Ash and friends head towards Lake Valor for the Grand Festival. On the way there, they arrive at a seaside town where they meet up with Dawn's mother Johanna, who says that she's there to teach her new Pokémon Coordinator class. She soon gets a call, however, that she's wanted as a substitute judge at the nearby Neighborly Town Pokémon Contest at the same time her class is scheduled, so Ash and friends offer to sub for her. During the class, Dawn demonstrates her Flame Ice combo and also tries out a new one, but things get hectic when Thomas, one of the students, starts picking on Piplup and being negative throughout the class. Meanwhile, Jessie goes for her fourth ribbon at the Neighborly Town Contest.